The new genus Auritella from Africa and Australia (Inocybaceae, Agaricales): molecular systematics, taxonomy and historical biogeography

Abstract

Recent phylogenetic evidence strongly supports a monophyletic group of Afro-Australian mushroom species with phenotypic affinities to the genus Inocybe (Agaricales, Basidiomycota). In this study, this clade is proposed as the new genus Auritella. Seven species are fully documented with taxonomic descriptions and illustrations, four of which are described as new, including one sequestrate or truffle-like species. A key to genera and major clades of the Inocybaceae and a key to species of Auritella are provided. A maximum likelihood tree using rpb2 and nLSU-rDNA nucleotide sequences depicts the phylogenetic relationships of five of the seven species of the genus, of which the Australian taxa form a monophyletic group. An ancient split between Australian and African lineages is hypothesized using a molecular clock that dates back at least to the late Cretaceous (about 86 Ma). Taxonomic novelties: Auritella Matheny and Bougher; Auritella arenacolens (Cleland) Matheny and Bougher; Auritella aureoplumosa (Watling) Matheny; Auritella chamaecephala Matheny, O. K. Miller and Bougher; Auritella dolichocystis Matheny, Trappe and Bougher; Auritella erythroxa (De Seynes) Matheny; Auritella geoaustralis Matheny and Bougher; Auritella serpentinocystis Matheny, Trappe and Bougher.